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Thursday, November 03, 2005

Long ago, when my children were little, I read them some books, mostly short funny stories (Berenstain Bears, Dr Seuss ... "Marvin, Marvin, Marvin, will you PLEASE GO NOW!" ... read with GREAT expression to my son, especially... "You can go in a crunk car if you wish.... " ) before bed. But as they got just a little older, I went to just a little bigger books, The Hobbit and the Chronicles of Narnia.

We watched the cartoon versions of both, but they really did not bring the stories to life. Then the film version of three of the Narnia stories came out on PBS, and we watched those together.

I never really read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy to them, because by that time, they were getting older and I was working full time and in school full time. Kevin would have loved me to have read it to him, but there was no real time (sorry Kev). He went to bed with Dan and Louie Bible Stories and other books on tape. He wore out at least five tape recorders, and possibly six over the years! Most of the tapes made it, not really getting destroyed with all of the use. But I wish that I knew where they went to.

I waited with anticipation for the Trilogy to come out each year from the first day that I had heard that they were being filmed, early in the process! I watched the progress online over the time it was in preparation. And then, each year, for three years, went at Christmas time to watch the newest release. I bought them video and DVD each time they came out. And when the extended version came out, I got that, too, and enjoyed watching them over and over when I had server/cable problems for about ten days.

Now, I am waiting for another to come out. I want to take my grandchildren to see The Chronicles of Narnia!

I have put off writing about this for awhile, but tonight, I learned that there are free downloads of activity books online when I read the article here and went to this site!

IMPORTANT information I heard on Relevant Radio the other day about this movie is the fact that everything is gauged for the opening weekend figures, and they said it is imperative that we go that weekend if at all possible in order to let Hollywood see that people do have an appreciation for good films.

They said that yes, we can go again, but that first weekend is the gauge that is used.

So, mark on your calendar to watch for the opening in your area, and take the children and or grandchildren. Or the neighbor's kids... or just go.

"Prince Caspian" to be Sequel After "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe"

Daily Mail is reporting a few nice tidbits about the next Chronicles of Narnia film to be made... here's what they say:

"We've got a script nearly ready, but The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe has to come out and do well first before we get the green light," Perry Moore, the film's executive producer, told me.

Moore, who has written the lavish illustrated companion book about the making of the picture, added that Prince Caspian was the next logical choice because it features all four of the children.

"We want the kids back before they get too old to do it again," he said of the young actors, who all live in Britain and were chosen during a two-year search in which 4,000 children were auditioned. "In Prince Caspian the story is set a year later and they're called back to Narnia in another crisis," said Moore, who works for Walden Media, studio behind the movie.

Prince Caspian would, like The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, shoot on location in New Zealand using the Weta Workshop special effects company where The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and the forthcoming King Kong were filmed. It was Moore who spent several years pursuing the rights to the collection of seven books.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - Two Catholic universities have tried to censor students during the past week for defending the church's teachings against homosexuality, actions the head of one Roman Catholic organization called "ridiculous."

One incident took place in Pittsburgh, where a Duquesne University student used an independent website to voice his opposition to a proposed "gay-straight alliance" on campus and described homosexual sex as "subhuman actions."

According to the school's website, several students complained to Duquesne's Office of Judicial Affairs, which held a hearing and concluded that Miner had violated the university's Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct by failing "to respect the rights, dignity and worth of other individuals."

In addition to requiring Miner to remove his online posting -- which he did upon request -- Duquesne has also demanded that the student write an essay on Catholic teaching about human dignity. Miner has refused to do so because he claims his post was simply a paraphrase of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which describes homosexual activity as "intrinsically disordered," "contrary to the natural law" and "gravely" sinful.

Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, a national organization dedicated to renewing Catholic identity at the church's colleges and universities, told Cybercast News Service he considers the school's punishment a "ridiculous" exercise.

"Duquesne punishes a student for defending Catholic teaching by mandating an essay on Catholic teaching -- despite the fact that Miner clearly has a better grasp of that teaching than Duquesne's administrators," Reilly said.

"No doubt Catholic teaching on this subject is unpopular and offends many people who disagree with it," he stated. "But if gay sex is gravely sinful and opposed to the natural order of human sexuality and family life, then to argue that it is beneath human dignity is as accurate as it is provocative."

The university's website also states that a special committee made up of students, teachers, staff members and administrators "is examining the issue" of establishing a "gay-straight alliance" on campus "in light of our Catholic identity and mission.

"This is a complex, sensitive issue that must be considered carefully," the website states.

Reilly said the fact that the school is giving the issue such extensive consideration is "adding injury to insult" because such a club "would further confuse students and would endorse a lifestyle contrary to Catholic teaching."

As a result, the Society is preparing to launch a letter-writing campaign to call for Miner's exoneration and urge Duquesne "to uphold its Catholic identity and deny support for the proposed gay-straight alliance."

A similar incident took place in Spokane, Washington, where Gonzaga University ordered students not to advertise a lecture on the medical implications of homosexual sex.

The College Republicans club invited John Diggs, a physician with the Massachusetts Physicians Resource Council, to speak about "The Medical Effects of Homo-Sex" on Oct. 27.

Responding to concerns that the event might stir up anti-homosexual sentiments, university officials refused to approve the event and ordered students not to advertise it on campus.

"Prohibiting students from advertising a campus lecture is censorship," Reilly said. "Even though Gonzaga was prevented by its own rules from halting the event altogether, it attempted to ensure that few students would attend the lecture.

"Fortunately, Gonzaga's political correctness backfired," he added. "The auditorium was packed with students eager to hear medical facts that Gonzaga's officials and the mainstream media don't want them to discuss, even in an academic setting."

Reilly noted that these incidents are the latest events in a trend on Catholic campuses and cited a number of examples:

-- Student clubs at the University of Notre Dame set up a large "closet" on campus and encouraged students to "come out" and proclaim their sexual preferences. Student activists wore orange T-shirts that read: "Gay? Fine by Me."

-- At Boston College, a campus lecturer asserted that Native Americans were tolerant of homosexuality and blamed European explorers for bringing "homophobia" to North America.

-- The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota hosted an "OUT!Law" meet-and-greet reception for homosexual law students, lawyers and judges.

Nevertheless, Reilly told Cybercast News Service that while he is critical of these colleges and universities on this issue, the Cardinal Newman Society is "by and large supportive of these schools, which are trying to do the right thing.

"However, in their zealousness to show compassion to people who are battling their gay impulses, these institutions are failing to get out the message that such activities are sinful," he said. "We're doing our best to correct that."

I again have the TV on as background noise, and just switched channels about half an hour ago, because the channel it had been on all day had a show that was driving me nuts, again. (Had been 'watching' old Matlock and Magnum PI programs until I noticed the other one had begun.)

So I just hit Fox News, and almost missed the story on John Gibson's The Big Story.

Remember the HUGE child abuse case from long ago that went on forever and resulted in no convictions? The Mc Martin Preschool case that involved many children?

One of those children has recanted his testimony, after all those years.

That case went on for years, including two separate trials. It ruined lives. Many think that those involved got away with the crimes, in spite of no convictions being reached. Some of the defendants have already died, with this still hanging over their heads.

The other day, I got a song that really touched me, and put the email about it on here. It was read by at least one person, who has been touched by it. Healing is taking place.

We all think that we have rights, but few think of the consequences of exercising those rights any longer. Few think of the hurt we cause others when exercising those choices. Few think of the generational effects, especially in today's society of 'soul mates' and 'greener pastures' when we choose to break our vows and walk away.

MY generation was told that kids will 'adjust', that they will be 'better off' with a 'happy parent', but there are changes that take place that we cannot predict. My generation fell for the Big Lie about 'no fault' forced, unilateral divorce Big Time.

We were lied to. We were duped. We were taught to be selfish, and to blame everyone else for our actions but ... ourselves, our choices, our free will.

We blew it. Big Time.

In seeking to 'satisfy our needs', we have hurt the very innocents that God has gifted us with.

It is no wonder that He seems to THUNDER these words from Malach 2:13-16

And this again you do. You cover the LORD's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor at your hand. You ask, "Why does he not?" Because the LORD was witness to the covenant between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Has not the one God made and sustained for us the spirit of life? And what does he desire? Godly offspring. So take heed to yourselves, and let none be faithless to the wife of his youth.

"For I hate divorce, says the LORD the God of Israel, and covering one's garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless."

It is, as a close friend of mine calls it, a "God-thing". Timing was His, also.

Our vows:The groom says:I (...), take you (...) to be my wife.I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,in sickness and in health.I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

The bride says:I (...), take you (...) to be my husband.I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,in sickness and in health.I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

“In many parts of the world, the family is under siege.It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception,abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalizedby pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality,sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce.”~~ Cardinal Arinze

Fyodor Garibaldi ( The Church Militant) has been busy. He has also found an editorial, via World Net Daily, from one of our area newspapers that lists the results of what the US Supreme Court will look like if Alito makes it through the nomination process.

"In losing a woman, the court with Alito would feature seven white men, one white woman and a black man, who deserves an asterisk because he arguably does not represent the views of mainstream black America."

Makes me almost ashamed to let you know where I live. Apparently blacks don't count if they are 'conservative'???

Monday, October 31, 2005

Because of You

The other night, I tried to blog about the music I chanced upon on TV while surfing channels, which is not my usual customary thing to do. (I have it on for background noise mostly.)

Tonight, I am reading my emails after work, and again, Diane from Smartmarriage has sent one out that is a must pass on.... You can watch the video at the url listed. There are actually two choices. One to listen, one to watch and listen. Choose the WATCH one. It makes this song real.

And to all you parents and "experts" out there who think that Elizabeth Marquardt and her own research (as well as her own life experience as the child of divorce) is wrong... I hope this tears at your hearts.

God bless.

############################- BECAUSE OF YOU > Diane,>> I found it on aol music.>> http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?artistid=542180&#>> Carolyn Jackson-King

Thank you Carolyn. I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. Powerful stuff. Mother in middle of fight with husband. Freeze frame and flashback to her own childhood. She takes the hand of "herself" as a little girl and together they watch scenes of her parents' marriage falling apart. Feels like it's music to illustrate Marquardt's "Between Two Worlds". I think it deserves a Smart Marriages Impact Award. It looks like it was released in 2004. Wish someone had brought it to our attention earlier, but it's never too late. Lyrics below. The "you" in "because of you" are her parents that divorced. - diane

Because of Youby Kelly ClarksonAlbum: Breakaway (2004)

I will not make the same mistakes that you didI will not let myself cause my heart so much miseryI will not break the way you didYou fell so hardI've learned the hard way, to never let it get that far

Because of youI never stray too far from the sidewalkBecause of youI learned to play on the safe sideSo I don't get hurtBecause of youI find it hard to trustNot only me, but everyone around meBecause of youI am afraid

I lose my wayAnd it's not too long before you point it outI cannot cryBecause I know that's weakness in your eyesI'm forced to fake a smile, a laughEvery day of my lifeMy heart can't possibly breakWhen it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of youI never stray too far from the sidewalkBecause of youI learned to play on the safe sideSo I don't get hurtBecause of youI find it hard to trustNot only me, but everyone around meBecause of youI am afraid

I watched you dieI heard you cryEvery night in your sleepI was so youngYou should have known better than to lean on meYou never thought of anyone elseYou just saw your painAnd now I cryIn the middle of the nightFor the same damn thing

Because of youI never stray too far from the sidewalkBecause of youI learned to play on the safe sideSo I don't get hurtBecause of youI tried my hardest just to forget everythingBecause of youI don't know how to let anyone else inBecause of youI'm ashamed of my life because it's emptyBecause of youI am afraid